Method and system for signalling resource allocation information in an asymmetric multicarrier communication network

ABSTRACT

A method and system signal resource allocation information in an asymmetric multicarrier communication network. A MS communicates with a BS using asymmetric carriers consisting of at least one low frequency carrier (e.g., primary carriers) in a cellular band and at least one high frequency carrier secondary carriers) in a millimeter Wave band. In one embodiment, the BS allocates resources for one or more transmit time intervals in at least one of DL allocation interval of a secondary DL carrier and UL allocation interval of a secondary UL carrier for the MS, where the DL allocation interval spans one or more subframes of the secondary DL carrier and the UL allocation interval spans one or more subframes of the secondary UL carrier. The BS then transmits information regarding the allocated resources to the MS in a Packet Data Control Channel region of a subframe of the primary DL carrier.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application is a continuation of application Ser. No.14/021,953, filed Sep. 9, 2013, which claims priority to IndianApplication No. 3710/CHE/2012, filed, Sep. 7, 2012, Indian ApplicationNo. 4332/CHE/2012, filed Oct. 17, 2012, and Indian Application No.3710/CHE/2012, filed May 28, 2013, the entire disclosures of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of asymmetric multicarriersystem, and more particularly relates to a method and system forsignaling resource allocation information in an asymmetric multicarriercommunication network.

2. Description of Related Art

In the recent years, several broadband wireless technologies have beendeveloped to meet growing number of broadband subscribers and to providemore and better applications and services. For example, the ThirdGeneration Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) developed Code DivisionMultiple Access 2000 (CDMA 2000), 1x Evolution Data Optimized (1x EVDO)and Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) systems. The 3rd Generation PartnershipProject (3GPP) developed Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA),High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) and Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems.The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers developed MobileWorldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) systems. As moreand more people become users of mobile communication systems and moreand more services are provided over these systems, there is anincreasing need for mobile communication system with large capacity,high throughput, lower latency and better reliability.

Super Mobile Broadband (SMB) system based on millimeter waves, i.e.,radio waves with wavelength in range of 1 millimeter (mm) to 10 mm,corresponds to a radio frequency of 30 Gigahertz (GHz) to 300 GHz, is acandidate for next generation mobile communication technology as vastamount of spectrum is available in a millimeter Wave band. In general,an SMB network consists of multiple SMB base stations (BSs) that cover ageographic area. In order to ensure good coverage, SMB base stationsneed to be deployed with higher density than macro-cellular basestations. In general, SMB base stations are recommended to be deployedroughly the same site-to-site distance as microcell or pico-celldeployment in an urban environment. Typically, transmission and/orreception in an SMB system are based on narrow beams, which suppress theinterference from neighboring SMB base stations and extend the range ofan SMB link. However due to high path loss, heavy shadowing and rainattenuation reliable transmission at higher frequencies is one of thekey issues that need to be overcome in order to make the SMB system apractical reality.

Lower frequencies in a cellular band having robust link characteristicscan be utilized with higher frequencies in a millimeter wave (mmWave)band to overcome reliability issues in the SMB systems. In an asymmetricmulticarrier communication network, a mobile station (MS) communicateswith a base station using asymmetric multiband carriers consisting of atleast one low frequency carrier in the cellular band and at least onehigh frequency carrier in the mmWave band. The primary carrier i.e.,carrier operating on low frequencies and the secondary carrier i.e.,carrier operating on high frequencies may be transmitted by same BS ordifferent BS. Since the transmission characteristics of low frequencycarriers in the cellular band and high frequency carriers in the mmWaveband is quite different, transmission time intervals (TTIs) and theframe structures for the primary carrier and secondary carrier may notbe same. An example of frame structure for a primary carrier in thecellular band where the operation is based on 3rd Generation PartnershipProjects (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) Standard, and frame structurefor a secondary carrier in the mmWave band is illustrated in FIG. 1. Inframe structure for the primary carrier in the cellular band, one radioframe of length 10 milliseconds is divided into 10 radio subframes whichare further sub-divided into two slots. Each slot is further composed ofsix or seven Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols.The BS transmits control information in the first three or the firstfour OFDM symbols of the first slot. The control information is intendedfor the both the slots of a sub frame. A control channel carrying thecontrol information is referred to as Physical Downlink Control Channel(PDCCH) in 3GPP LTE terminology. In a frame structure for the secondarycarrier in mmWave band, a radio frame of 5 milliseconds is composed of 5subframes of 1 ms each. Each subframe is composed of P=60 slots and eachslot is composed of n=4 OFDM symbols.

In an asymmetric multicarrier communication network, a low frequencycarrier in a cellular band can be used to signal resource allocationinformation for high frequency carrier in an mmWave band for reliablysignaling the resource allocation information. However, frame structureand transmit time intervals for high frequency carrier is different thanthose for low frequency carrier.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method andsystem for signaling resource allocation information in an asymmetricmulticarrier communication network. In one embodiment a MS communicateswith a BS using asymmetric carriers consisting of at least one lowfrequency carrier (e.g., primary carriers) in a cellular band and atleast one high frequency carrier secondary carriers) in a millimeterWave band. In one embodiment, the BS allocates resources for one or moretransmit time intervals in at least one of DL allocation interval of asecondary DL carrier and UL allocation interval of a secondary ULcarrier for the MS, where the DL allocation interval spans one or moresubframes of the secondary DL carrier and the UL allocation intervalspans one or more subframes of the secondary LI carrier. The BS thentransmits information regarding the allocated resources to the MS in aPacket Data Control Channel region of a subframe of the primary DLcarrier.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE below, itmay be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words andphrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and“comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion withoutlimitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases“associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivativesthereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with,contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, becommunicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximateto, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and theterm “controller” means any device, system or part thereof that controlsat least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware,firmware or software, or some combination of at least two of the same.It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particularcontroller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally orremotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are providedthroughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the artshould understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitionsapply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words andphrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and itsadvantages, reference is now made to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of frame structures of aprimary Downlink (DL) carrier, secondary DL carrier and a secondaryUplink (UL) carrier, according to a prior art.

FIG. 2A illustrates a schematic diagram of an asymmetric multicarriercommunication network where a primary carrier and a secondary carrierare transmitted by a same base station (BS).

FIG. 2B illustrates a schematic diagram of another asymmetricmulticarrier communication network where a primary carrier and asecondary carrier are transmitted by different BSs.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart for a method of allocating resources to amobile station (MS), according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4A illustrates a flowchart for a method of receiving and processingresource allocation information from the BS, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 4B illustrates a flowchart for a method of receiving and processingresource allocation information from the BS, according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart for an exemplary method of allocatingresources to the MS, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic representation of frame structuresassociated with a primary DL carrier, a secondary DL carrier, and asecondary UL carrier, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart for an exemplary method of allocatingresources to the MS, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic representation of frame structuresassociated with a primary DL carrier, a secondary DL carrier, and asecondary UL carrier, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method of allocatingresources to the MS, according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic representation of frame structuresassociated with a primary DL carrier, a secondary DL carrier, and asecondary UL carrier, according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method of allocatingresources to the MS, according to further another embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic representation of frame structuresassociated with a primary DL carrier, a secondary DL carrier, and asecondary UL carrier, according to further another embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates a flowchart for an exemplary method of allocatingresources to the MS, according to yet a further embodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates a schematic representation of frame structuresassociated with a primary DL carrier, a secondary DL carrier, and asecondary UL carrier, according to yet a further embodiment.

FIG. 15 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method of allocatingresources to the MS, according to still another embodiment.

FIG. 16 illustrates a schematic representation of frame structuresassociated with a primary DL carrier, a secondary DL carrier, and asecondary UL carrier, according to still another embodiment.

FIG. 17 illustrates a flowchart for an exemplary method of allocatingresources to the MS, according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 18 illustrates a schematic representation of frame structuresassociated with a primary DL carrier, a secondary DL carrier, and asecondary UL carrier, according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 19 illustrates a schematic representation of frame structuresassociated with a primary DL carrier, a secondary DL carrier, and asecondary carrier, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 20 illustrates a flowchart for an exemplary method of allocatingresources to the MS, according to alternate embodiment.

FIG. 21 illustrates a schematic representation of frame structuresassociated with a primary DL carrier, a secondary DL carrier, and asecondary UL carrier with multiple allocation intervals per subframe,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 22 illustrates a schematic representation of exemplary framestructures associated with a primary DL carrier, a secondary DL carrier,and a secondary UL carrier with two allocation intervals per subframe,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 23 illustrates a schematic representation of exemplary framestructures associated with a primary DL carrier, a secondary DL carrier,and a secondary UL carrier with two allocation intervals per subframe,according to another embodiment.

FIG. 24 illustrates a schematic representation of exemplary framestructures associated with a primary DL carrier, a secondary DL carrier,and a secondary UL carrier with two allocation intervals per subframe,according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 25 illustrates a schematic representation of exemplary framestructures associated with a primary DL carrier, a secondary DL carrier,and a secondary UL carrier with three allocation intervals per subframe,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 26 illustrates a schematic representation of frame structuresassociated with a primary DL carrier, a secondary DL carrier, and asecondary UL carrier with multiple allocation intervals per subframe,according to another embodiment.

FIG. 27 illustrates a schematic representation of frame structuresassociated with a primary DL carrier, a secondary DL carrier, and asecondary UL carrier with multiple allocation intervals per subframe,according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 28 illustrates a schematic representation of frame structuresassociated with a primary DL carrier, a secondary DL carrier, and asecondary UL carrier with multiple allocation intervals per subframe,according to further another embodiment.

FIG. 29 illustrates a schematic representation of indication location ofa Super Mobile Broadband (SMB) Physical Downlink Control Channel(S-PDCCH) region to the MS, according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 30A-C illustrate schematic representations of indication oflocation of an S-PDCCH region to the MS, according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 31 illustrates a schematic representation of frame structures in aTime Division Duplex (TDD) mode, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 32 illustrates a schematic representation of frame structures inthe TDD mode, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 33 illustrates a schematic representation of frame structures inthe TDD mode, according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 34 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary base station, suchas those shown in FIG. 2A, showing various components for implementingembodiments of the present subject matter.

FIG. 35 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary mobile station, suchas those shown in FIG. 2A, showing various components for implementingembodiments of the present subject matter.

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 35, discussed below, and the various embodiments used todescribe the principles of the present disclosure in this patentdocument are by way of illustration only and should not be construed inany way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the principles of the present disclosure may beimplemented in any suitably arranged system or device. The presentdisclosure provides a method and system for signaling resourceallocation information in an asymmetric multicarrier communicationnetwork. In the following detailed description of the embodiments of thedisclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form apart hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specificembodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodimentsare described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that otherembodiments may he utilized and that changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. The followingdetailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense,and the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by the appendedclaims.

In an asymmetric multicarrier communication network, a mobile station(MS) communicates with a base station using asymmetric carriersconsisting of at least one low frequency carrier in a cellular band andat least one high frequency carrier in a millimeter Wave band. Theprimary carrier, i.e., carrier operating on low frequencies, is used totransmit control information including resource allocation informationfor a secondary carrier, i.e., carrier operating on high frequencies.The primary carrier and the secondary carrier may be transmitted by samebase station (BS) or different BS. FIG. 2A illustrates a schematicdiagram 200 of an asymmetric multicarrier communication network where aprimary carrier and a secondary carrier are transmitted by a same BS202. FIG. 2B illustrates a schematic diagram 250 of another asymmetricmulticarrier communication network where a primary carrier and asecondary carrier are transmitted by different BSs 202. In asymmetricmulticarrier communication network, transmit time intervals (TTIs) andframe structures for the primary carrier are different than those of thesecondary carrier. The present disclosure is applicable to anyasymmetric multicarrier communication network, wherein at least one oftransmit time interval (TTI) and frame structures on primary carrier aredifferent than those of secondary carriers.

For the purpose explanation, low frequency carrier operation as definedin 3GPP LTE system is considered. However, the present disclosure isequally applicable to any other cellular broadband system. Further,control information is referred to in particular for resource allocationinformation; however the disclosure can be used for other types ofcontrol information wherever applicable.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart 300 for a method of allocating resourcesto the MS 204, according to one embodiment. At step 302, resources forone or more transmit time intervals (TTIs) in at least one of DLallocation interval of a secondary DL carrier (e.g., Super MobileBroadband (SMB) DL carrier) and UL allocation interval of a secondary ULcarrier (e.g., SMB UL carrier) are allocated for the MS 204, where theDL allocation interval spans one or more subframes of the secondary DLcarrier and the UL allocation interval spans one or more subframes ofthe secondary UL carrier. At step 304, information regarding theallocated resources is transmitted to the MS 204 in a PDCCH region of asubframe of a primary DL carrier (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE)carrier). In one embodiment, the information regarding the allocatedresources is transmitted using SMB-Physical Downlink Control Channel(S-PDCCH) in a region designated for Physical Downlink Control Channel(PDCCH). In this embodiment, the information regarding the allocatedresources is transmitted in first three or first four symbols of a firstslot in the subframe of the primary DL carrier. The S-PDCCH may span oneor more Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols in thePDCCH region. It can be noted that, the physical layer transmission ofS-PDCCH follows PDCCH transmission attributes coding, modulation, etc.).

FIG. 4A illustrates a process flowchart 400 for a method of receivingand processing resource allocation information from the BS 202,according to one embodiment. At step 402, transmissions aresimultaneously received by the MS 204 on a subframe of a primary DLcarrier and a subframe of a secondary DL carrier. At step 404, thetransmissions received on the subframe of secondary DL carrier isbuffered at the MS 204 till Physical Control Format Indicator Channel(PCFICH) and PDCCH/S-PDCCH are received on the primary DI., carrier anddecoded by the MS 204.

At step 406, PCFICH is received in a first Orthogonal Frequency DivisionMultiplexing (OFDM) symbol of the subframe of the primary DL carrier. Atstep 408, the PCFICH is decoded to determine presence of a PDCCH regionin the subframe of the primary DL carrier. At step 410, it is determinedwhether the PDCCH region is present in the subframe of the primary DLcarrier. If the PDCCH region is not present in the subframe of theprimary DL carrier, then at step 412, reception of information on thesubframe of the primary DL carrier and the subframe of the secondary DLcarrier is terminated. Also, at step 414, the information received onthe secondary DL carrier and buffered at the MS 204 is deleted.

If the PDCCH region is present in the subframe of the primary DLcarrier, then at step 416, PDCCH(s) and/or S-PDCCH(s)) received in thePDCCH region are decoded. At step 418, it is determined whether one ormore S-PDCCHs are decoded in the PDCCH region. If the one or moreS-PDCCHs are decoded in the PDCCH region, then at step 420, the resourceallocation information decoded from the one or more S-PDCCHs isprocessed. The resource allocation information indicates resourcesallocated for one or more transmit time intervals in at least one DLallocation interval in the secondary downlink carrier and UL allocationinterval in the secondary UL carrier. In one embodiment, the resourceallocation information enables to decode PHY burst(s) transmitted in oneor more TTIs in the DL allocation interval. In another embodiment, theresource allocation information enables to transmit PHY burst(s) in oneor more TTIs in the UL allocation interval. If the one or moreS-PDCCH(s) are not decoded from the PDCCH region, then at step 422,reception of information on the subframe of the primary DL carrier andthe subframe of the secondary DL carrier are terminated. Also, at step424, the information received in the secondary DL carrier and bufferedat the MS 204 is deleted. It is understood that, the method steps 402 to424 are applicable for frame structures illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 4B illustrates a flowchart 450 for a method of receiving andprocessing resource allocation information from the BS, according toanother embodiment. At step 452, transmissions are received by the MS204 on a subframe of a primary DL carrier. At step 454, Physical ControlFormat Indicator Channel (PCFICH) is received in a first OrthogonalFrequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of the subframe of theprimary DL carrier. At step 456, the PCFICH is decoded to determinepresence of a PDCCH region in the subframe of the primary DL carrier. Atstep 458, it is determined whether the PDCCH region is present in thesubframe of the primary DL carrier. If the PDCCH region is not presentin the subframe of the primary DL carrier, then at step 460, receptionof information on the subframe of the primary DL carrier is terminated.

If the PDCCH region is present in the subframe of the primary DLcarrier, then at step 462, PDCCH(s) and/or S-PDCCH(s)) received in thePDCCH region are decoded. At step 464, it is determined whether one ormore S-PDCCHs are decoded in the PDCCH region. If the one or moreS-PDCCHs are decoded in the PDCCH region, then at step 466, the resourceallocation information decoded from the one or more S-PDCCHs isprocessed. The resource allocation information indicates resourcesallocated for one or more transmit time intervals in at least one DLallocation interval in the secondary downlink carrier and UL allocationinterval in the secondary UL carrier. In one embodiment, the resourceallocation information enables to decode PHY burst(s) transmitted in oneor more TTIs in the DL allocation interval. In another embodiment, theresource allocation information enables to transmit PHY burst(s) in oneor more TTIs in the UL allocation interval. If the one or moreS-PDCCH(s) are not decoded from the PDCCH region, then at step 468,reception of information on the subframe of the primary DL carrier iscontinued. It is understood that, the method steps 452 to 468 areapplicable for frame structures illustrated in FIGS. 8, 12, 14, 16, 18,and 20.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart 500 for an exemplary method of allocatingresources to the MS 204, according to one embodiment. At step 502,resources for one or more transmit time intervals in at least one of DLallocation interval of a secondary DL carrier (e.g., SMB DL carrier) andUL allocation interval of a secondary UL carrier (e.g., SMB UL carrier)are allocated for the MS 204, where the DL allocation interval spans asingle subframe of the secondary DL carrier and the UL allocationinterval spans multiple subframes of the secondary UL carrier. At step504, information regarding the allocated resources is transmitted to theMS 204 in a PDCCH region of a subframe of a primary DL carrier. It canbe noted that, the subframes of primary DL carrier, the subframes of thesecondary DL carrier and the subframes of the secondary UL carrier aretime aligned with each other. Further, the DL allocation interval startsat the same time as the subframe of the primary DL carrier in which theresource allocation information for the DL allocation interval istransmitted. On the other hand, the UL allocation interval in thesecondary UL carrier starts at a pre-defined offset during the timeduration of the subframe of the primary DL carrier in which the resourceallocation information for the UL allocation interval is transmitted.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic representation 600 of frame structures602A-602C associated with a primary Downlink (DL) carrier, a secondaryDL carrier, and a secondary uplink (UL) carrier, according to oneembodiment. In an exemplary implementation, the primary DL carrier maybe a low frequency carrier in a long term evolution (LTE) band. In thisexemplary implementation, the secondary DL carrier and the secondary ULcarrier may be high frequency carrier in an mmWave band. One canenvision that the primary DL carrier, the secondary DL carrier, and thesecondary UL carrier may be associated with a frequency band associatedwith any radio access technology.

The frame structure 602A includes a plurality of subframes 604A-N of 1millisecond duration. Each subframe is a transmit time interval for datapacket. The starting of the each subframe 604 contains a control region606 for transmitting information on resources allocated to the MS 204followed by a data region for transmitting data packets in downlinkdirection.

The frame structure 602B includes a plurality of subframes 608A-N of 1millisecond duration. Similarly, the frame structure 602C includes aplurality of subframes 610A-N. Each of the subframes 608A-N and 610A-Nof the secondary DL carrier and the secondary UL carrier is divided intoplurality of Transmit Time Intervals (TTIs) 609 of 0.1 millisecondduration. It can be noted that, the TTIs of each subframe of thesecondary DL carrier and the secondary UL carrier are smaller timeduration than a TTI in the primary DL carrier. The subframes 608A-N andthe subframes 610A-N of the secondary DL carrier and the secondary ULcarrier are time aligned with the subframes of the primary DL carrier.

According to the present disclosure, the base station 202 transmitsinformation on allocated resources in the PDCCH region 606 of eachsubframe 604 of the primary DL carrier. The resource allocationinformation indicates resources allocated to the MS 204 for one or moretransmit time intervals (TTIs) in a DL allocation interval 612 of thesecondary DL carrier and an UL allocation interval 614 in the secondaryUL carrier. The duration of the DL allocation interval 612 and the ULallocation interval 614 is equal to one subframe duration.Alternatively, the duration of the DL allocation interval 612 and the ULallocation interval 614 can be more than one subframe duration. As shownin FIG. 6, the DL allocation interval 612 spans a single subframe of thesecondary DL carrier and the UL allocation interval 614 spans multiplesubframes of the secondary UL carrier. For example, the DL allocationinterval 612 spans the subframe 608A while the UL allocation interval614 spans the subframes 610A and 610B. That is, the DL allocationinterval 612 starts at the same time as the subframe 604 of the primaryDL carrier 604 in which the allocated resources for said DL allocationinterval 612 are transmitted. The UL allocation interval 614 starts at apredefined offset 616 during time duration of the subframe 604 of theprimary DL carrier in which the resource information for said ULallocation interval 614 is transmitted. The predefined offset 616 isequal to at least one of time duration of the PDCCH region 606 in whichthe resource information is transmitted, time duration required forprocessing the resource information, time duration required to switchfrom primary carrier to secondary carrier, time duration required tosynchronize with the secondary carrier, time duration required toprepare uplink packet based on received resource allocation information,and time duration required for uplink timing advance. In someembodiments, maximum timing advance supported by the system 200 may beconsidered to calculate the predefined offset 616. The pre-definedoffset 616 may also include the time required to do beamforming. Inbeam-formed system, prior to transmission, appropriate beamforming needsto be performed in order to identify best transmit beam direction.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart 700 for an exemplary method of allocatingresources to the MS 204, according to another embodiment. At step 702,resources for one or more transmit time intervals in at least one of DLallocation interval of a secondary DL carrier (e.g., SMB DL carrier) andUL allocation interval of a secondary UL carrier (e.g., SMB UL carrier)are allocated for the MS 204, where the DL allocation interval and theUL allocation interval spans multiple subframes of the secondary DLcarrier and the secondary UL carrier, respectively.

At step 704, information regarding the allocated resources istransmitted to the MS 204 in a PDCCH region of a subframe of a primaryDL carrier. it can be noted that, the subframes of primary DL carrier,the subframes of the secondary DL carrier and the subframes of thesecondary UL carrier are time aligned with each other. Further, the DLallocation interval starts at a first pre-defined offset during the timeduration of the subframe of the primary DL carrier in which the resourceallocation information for the DL allocation interval is transmitted.Similarly, the UL allocation interval in the secondary UL carrier startsat a second pre-defined offset during the time duration of the subframeof the primary DL carrier in which the resource allocation informationfor the UL allocation interval is transmitted.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic representation 800 of frame structures802A-802C associated with a primary Downlink (DL) carrier, a secondaryDL carrier, and a secondary uplink (UL) carrier, according to anotherembodiment. It can be seen that the schematic representation 800 of FIG.8 is a similar to the schematic representation 600 of FIG. 6, except theDL allocation interval 812 spans multiple subframes of the secondary DLcarrier. For example, the DL allocation interval 812 spans the subframes808A and 808B and the UL allocation interval 814 spans the subframes810A and 810B. That is, the DL allocation interval 812 starts at a firstpredefined offset 816 during time duration of the subframe 804 of theprimary DL carrier in which the allocated resources for said DLallocation interval 812 are transmitted. The first predefined offset 816is equal to at least one of time duration of the PDCCH region 806 inwhich resource allocation information is transmitted, time durationrequired for processing the resource allocation information, timeduration required to switch from primary carrier to secondary carrier,and time duration require to synchronize with the secondary carrier. Thefirst predefined offset 816 may also include time duration required toperform beamforming. In beam-formed system, prior to reception,appropriate beamforming needs to be performed in order to identify besttransmit beam direction.

The UL allocation interval 814 starts at a second predefined offset 818during time duration of the subframe 804 of the primary DL carrier inwhich the resource information for said UL allocation interval 814 istransmitted. The second predefined offset 818 is equal to at least oneof time duration of the PDCCH region 806 in which the resourceinformation is transmitted, time duration required for processing theresource information, time duration required to switch from primarycarrier to secondary carrier, time duration required to synchronize withthe secondary carrier, time duration required to prepare uplink packetbased on received resource allocation information, and time durationrequired for uplink timing advance. In some embodiments, maximum timingadvance supported by the system 200 may be considered to calculate thesecond predefined offset 818. The second predefined offset 818 may alsoinclude time duration required to perform beamforming. In beam-formedsystem, prior to transmission, appropriate beamforming needs to beperformed in order to identify best transmit beam direction.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart 900 for an exemplary method of allocatingresources to the MS 204, according to yet another embodiment. At step902, resources for one or more transmit time intervals in at least oneof DL allocation interval of a secondary DL carrier (e.g., SAM DLcarrier) and UL allocation interval of a secondary UL carrier (e.g., SMBUL carrier) are allocated for the MS 204, where the DL allocationinterval and the UL allocation interval spans one subframe of thesecondary DL carrier and the secondary UL carrier, respectively.

At step 904, information regarding the allocated resources istransmitted to the MS 204 in a PDCCH region of a subframe of a primaryDL carrier. It can be noted that, the subframes of the secondary DLcarrier is time aligned with the subframes of the primary DL carrierwhereas the subframes of the secondary UL carrier are offset by apre-defined time duration with corresponding subframes of the primary DLcarrier. Further, the DL allocation interval starts at the same time asthe subframe of the primary DL carrier in which the resource allocationinformation for the DL allocation interval is transmitted. Similarly,the UL allocation interval in the secondary UL carrier starts at thesame time as the subframe of the secondary UL carrier which starts atthe pre-defined offset from the subframe of the primary DL carrier inwhich the resource allocation information for the UL allocation intervalis transmitted.

FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic representation 1000 of frame structures1002A-1002C associated with a primary Downlink (DL) carrier, a secondaryDL carrier, and a secondary uplink (UL) carrier, according to yetanother embodiment. It can be seen from the schematic representation1000 that the subframes 1008A-N of the secondary downlink carrier aretime aligned with corresponding subframes of the primary downlinkcarrier. It can also be seen that the subframes 1010A-N of the secondaryUL carrier are offset by pre-defined time duration 1016 with respect tothe corresponding subframes 1004A-N of the primary DL carrier. Thepre-defined offset 1016 may be equal to at least one of time duration ofthe PDCCH region 1006 in which resource allocation information istransmitted, time duration required for processing the resourceallocation information, time duration required to switch from primarycarrier to secondary carrier, time duration required to synchronize withthe secondary carrier, time duration required to prepare uplink packetbased on the resource allocation information, time duration required foruplink timing advance, and time duration required for beamforming.

As depicted, the DL allocation interval 1012 starts at the same time asthe subframe 1008 of the secondary DL carrier. Also, the UL allocationinterval 1014 starts at the same time as the subframe 1010 of thesecondary UL carrier. It can be noted that duration of the DL allocationinterval 1012 and the UL allocation interval 1014 is equal to onesubframe duration. Alternatively, the duration of the DL allocationinterval 1012 and the UL allocation interval 1014 can be more than onesubframe duration.

FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart 1100 for an exemplary method ofallocating resources to the MS 204, according to further anotherembodiment. At step 1102, resources for one or more transmit timeintervals in at least one of DL allocation interval of a secondary DLcarrier (e.g., SMB DL carrier) and UL allocation interval of a secondaryUL carrier (e.g., SMB UL carrier) are allocated for the MS 204, wherethe DL allocation interval spans multiple subframes of the secondary DLcarrier and the UL allocation interval spans a single subframe of thesecondary UL carrier.

At step 1104, information regarding the allocated resources istransmitted to the MS 204 in a PDCCH region of a subframe of a primaryDL carrier. It can be noted that, the subframes of the secondary DLcarrier is time aligned with the subframes of the primary DL carrierwhereas the subframes of the secondary UL carrier are offset by a firstpre-defined time duration with corresponding subframes of the primary DLcarrier. Further, the DL allocation interval starts at a secondpre-defined offset during the time duration of the correspondingsubframe of the primary DL carrier in which the resource allocationinformation for the DL allocation interval is transmitted. On the otherhand, the UL allocation interval in the secondary UL carrier starts atthe same time as the subframe of the secondary UL carrier which startsat the first pre-defined offset from the subframe of the primary DLcarrier in which the resource allocation information for the ULallocation interval is transmitted.

FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic representation 1200 of frame structures1202A-1202C associated with a primary Downlink (DL) carrier, a secondaryDL carrier, and a secondary uplink (UL) carrier, according to furtheranother embodiment. It can be seen that the schematic representation1200 is similar to the schematic representation 1000 of FIG. 10 exceptthe DL allocation interval 1212 spans multiple subframes of thesecondary DL carrier. For example, the DL allocation interval 1212 spansthe subframes 1208A and 1208B of the secondary DL carrier. That is, theDL allocation interval 1212 starts at a predefined offset 1216 duringtime duration of the subframe 1204 of the primary DL carrier in whichthe resource allocation information for said DL allocation interval 1212is transmitted. The predefined offset 1218 is equal to at least one oftime duration of the PDCCH region 1206 in which resource allocationinformation is transmitted, time duration required for processing theresource allocation information, time duration required to switch fromprimary carrier to secondary carrier, time duration require tosynchronize with the secondary carrier, and time duration required forbeamforming.

FIG. 13 illustrates a flowchart 1300 for an exemplary method ofallocating resources to the MS 204, according to yet a furtherembodiment. At step 1302, resources for one or more transmit timeintervals in at least one of DL allocation interval of a secondary DLcarrier (e.g., SMB DL carrier) and UL allocation interval of a secondaryUL carrier (e.g., SMB UL carrier) are allocated for the MS 204, wherethe DL allocation interval and the UL allocation interval span a singlesubframe of the secondary DL carrier and the secondary UL carrier,respectively.

At step 1304, information regarding the allocated resources istransmitted to the MS 204 in a PDCCH region of a subframe of a primaryDL carrier. It can be noted that, the subframes of the secondary DLcarrier and the subframes of the secondary UL carrier are time alignedwith each other and are offset by a pre-defined time duration withcorresponding subframes of the primary DL carrier. Further, the DLallocation interval in the secondary DL carrier starts at the same timeas the subframe of the secondary DL carrier which starts at thepre-defined offset from the corresponding subframe of the primary DLcarrier in which the resource allocation information for the DLallocation interval is transmitted. Similarly, the UL allocationinterval in the secondary UL carrier starts at the same time as thesubframe of the secondary UL carrier which starts at the pre-definedoffset from the subframe of the primary DL carrier in which the resourceallocation information for the UL allocation interval is transmitted.

FIG. 14 illustrates a schematic representation 1400 for frame structures1402A-1402C associated with a primary Downlink (DL) carrier, a secondaryDL carrier, and a secondary uplink (UL) carrier, according to yet afurther embodiment. In FIG. 14, subframes 1408A-N of the secondary DLcarrier and subframes 1410A-N of the secondary UL carrier are timealigned with each other and offset by pre-defined time duration 1416with corresponding subframes 1404A-N of the primary DL carrier. Thepre-defined offset 1416 is equal to at least one of time duration of thePDCCH region 1406 in which resource allocation information istransmitted, time duration required for processing the resourceallocation information, time duration required to switch from primarycarrier to secondary carrier, time duration required to synchronize withthe secondary carrier, time duration required for preparing UL packetand time required to perform beamforming. Alternatively, the pre-definedoffset 1416 may be equal to time duration of the PDCCH region 1406 inwhich resource allocation information is transmitted plus time durationrequired for processing the resource allocation information plus maximumof time duration required to switch from primary carrier to secondarycarrier, time duration required to synchronize with the secondarycarrier, time duration required for preparing UL packet, time requiredto perform beamforming and time duration required for uplink timingadvance. In some embodiments, maximum timing advance supported by theasymmetric multicarrier system may be considered to calculate thepre-defined offset.

Further, it can be seen that, DL allocation interval 1412 in thesecondary DL carrier and is time aligned with subframes 1408A-N of thesecondary DL carrier. Similarly, UL allocation interval 1414 in thesecondary DL carrier is time aligned with the subframes 1410A-N of thesecondary UL carrier. It can also be noted that, duration of the DLallocation interval 1412 and the UL allocation interval 1414 is equal tosingle subframe duration. Alternatively, the duration of the DLallocation interval 1012 and the UL allocation interval 1014 may begreater than one subframe duration.

FIG. 15 illustrates a flowchart 1500 for an exemplary method ofallocating resources to the MS 204, according to still anotherembodiment. At step 1502, resources for one or more transmit timeintervals in at least one of DL allocation interval of a secondary DLcarrier (e.g., SMB DL carrier) and UL allocation interval of a secondaryUL carrier (e.g., SMB UL carrier) are allocated for the MS 204, wherethe DL allocation interval spans a single subframe of the secondary DLcarrier and the UL allocation interval spans multiple subframes of thesecondary UL carrier.

At step 1504, information regarding the allocated resources istransmitted to the MS 204 in a PDCCH region of a subframe of a primaryDL carrier. It can be noted that, the subframes of the secondary DLcarrier and the subframes of the secondary UL carrier are time alignedwith each other and are offset by a first pre-defined time duration withcorresponding subframes of the primary DL carrier. Further, the DLallocation interval in the secondary DL carrier starts at the same timeas the subframe of the secondary DL carrier which starts at thepre-defined offset from the corresponding subframe of the primary DLcarrier in which the resource allocation information for the DLallocation interval is transmitted. On the other hand, the UL allocationinterval in the secondary UL carrier starts at a second predefinedoffset from the subframe of the secondary UL carrier which starts at thefirst pre-defined offset from the subframe of the primary DL carrier inwhich the resource allocation information for the UL allocation intervalis transmitted.

FIG. 16 illustrates a schematic representation 1600 for frame structures1602A-1602C associated with a primary Downlink (DL) carrier, a secondaryDL carrier, and a secondary uplink (UL) carrier, according to stillanother embodiment. It can be seen that the schematic representation1600 is similar to the schematic representation 1400 of FIG. 14, exceptthat UL allocation interval 1614 starts at a predefined offset 1618 fromthe corresponding subframes 1610A-N of the secondary UL carrier. In oneembodiment, the predefined offset 1618 is equal to time durationrequired to build an uplink packet. In another embodiment, thepredefined offset 1618 is equal to time duration required to build anuplink packet minus time duration required to switch and synchronize tosecondary carrier and time duration required to perform beamforming. Thepredefined offset is calculated as described above when the predefinedoffset 1616 is computed using time duration required to switch andsynchronize to secondary carrier and time duration required to performbeamforming. Also, the predefined offset 1616 may include time durationrequired for uplink timing advance. In one exemplary implementation,maximum timing advance supported by the asymmetric multicarrier systemmay be considered to compute the pre-defined offset. As depicted in FIG.16, the UL allocation interval 1614 spans multiple subframes of thesecondary UL carrier. It can also be seen that subframes 1608A-N of thesecondary DL carrier and subframes 1610A-N of the secondary UL carrierare time aligned with each other and offset by pre-defined time duration1616 with corresponding subframes 1604A-N of the primary DL carrier. Thepre-defined time duration 1616 is equal to at least one of time durationof the PDCCH region 1606 in which resource allocation information istransmitted, time duration required for processing the resourceallocation information, time duration required to switch from primarycarrier to secondary carrier time duration required to synchronize withthe secondary carrier, and time required to perform beamforming.

FIG. 17 illustrates a process flowchart 1700 for an exemplary method ofallocating resources to the MS 204, according to yet another embodiment.At step 1702, resources for one or more transmit time intervals in atleast one of DL allocation interval of a secondary DL carrier (e.g., SMBDL carrier) and UL allocation interval of a secondary UL carrier (e.g.,SMB UL carrier) allocated for the MS 204, where the DL allocationinterval and the UL allocation interval span single subframe of thesecondary DL carrier and the secondary UL carrier, respectively.

At step 1704, information regarding the allocated resources istransmitted to the MS 204 in a PDCCH region of a subframe of a primaryDL carrier. It can be noted that, the subframes of the secondary DLcarrier is offset by a first pre-defined time duration withcorresponding subframes of the primary DL carrier. Similarly, thesubframes of the secondary UL carrier are offset by a second pre-definedtime duration with corresponding subframes of the primary DL carrier.Further, the DL allocation interval in the secondary DL carrier startsat the same time as the subframe of the secondary DL carrier whichstarts at the first pre-defined offset from the corresponding subframeof the primary DL carrier in which the resource allocation informationfor the DL allocation interval is transmitted. Similarly, the ULallocation interval in the secondary UL carrier starts at the same timeas the subframe of the secondary UL carrier which starts at the secondpre-defined offset from the subframe of the primary DL carrier in whichthe resource allocation information for the UL allocation interval istransmitted.

FIG. 18 illustrates a schematic representation 1800 of frame structures1802A-1802C associated with a primary Downlink (DL) carrier, a secondaryDL carrier, and a secondary uplink (UL) carrier, according to yetanother embodiment. It can be seen that the schematic representation1800 is similar to the schematic representation 1400 of FIG. 14, exceptthat subframes 1810A-N of the secondary UL carrier are offset bypredefined time duration 1818 with the corresponding subframes 1804A-Nof the primary DL carrier. In one embodiment, the predefined offset 1818is equal to time duration required to build an uplink packet. In anotherembodiment, the predefined offset 1818 is equal to time durationrequired to build an uplink packet minus time duration required toswitch and synchronize to secondary carrier and time duration requiredto perform beamforming. The predefined offset 1818 is calculated asdescribed above when the predefined offset 1816 is computed using timeduration required to switch and synchronize to secondary carrier andtime duration required to perform beamforming. Also, the predefinedoffset 1816 may include time duration required for uplink timingadvance. In one exemplary implementation, maximum timing advancesupported by the asymmetric multicarrier system may be considered tocompute the pre-defined offset. As depicted in FIG. 18, the ULallocation interval 1814 spans multiple subframes of the secondary ULcarrier. It can be seen that subframes 1808A-N of the secondary DLcarrier and subframes 1810A-N of the secondary UL carrier are timealigned with each other and offset by pre-defined time duration 1816with corresponding subframes 1804A-N of the primary DL carrier. Thepre-defined time duration 1816 is equal to at least one of time durationof the PDCCH region 1806 in which resource allocation information istransmitted, time duration required for processing the resourceallocation information, time duration required to switch from primarycarrier to secondary carrier time duration required to synchronize withthe secondary carrier, and time required to perform beamforming. Asdepicted, UL allocation interval 1814 starts at the same time as thesubframe of the secondary UL carrier.

FIG. 19 illustrates a schematic representation 1900 of frame structures1902A-1902C associated with a primary DL carrier, a secondary DLcarrier, and a secondary UL carrier, according to another embodiment. Itcan be seen that the schematic representation 1900 is similar to theschematic representation 600 of FIG. 6, except that a DL allocationinterval 1912 of the secondary DL carrier and an UL allocation interval1914 of the secondary UL carrier do not comprise TTIs of a subframewhich are overlapping the PDCCH region 1906 of a subframe (e.g.,subframe 1904B) of the primary DL carrier. That is, TTIs in a subframeof the secondary DL carrier and the secondary UL carrier that overlapwith time duration of the PDCCH region are unutilized especially whenone radio frequency (RF) unit needs to be in ON state at a singleinstance. It can be noted that, the above condition is also applicableto the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 18.

FIG. 20 illustrates a flowchart 2000 for an exemplary method ofallocating resources to the MS 204, according to alternate embodiment.At step 2002, resources for one or more transmit time intervals (TTIs)in a group of DL allocation intervals of a secondary DL carrier and agroup of UL allocation intervals of a secondary UL carrier are allocatedto the MS 204. The group of DL allocation intervals is contiguous. Also,the group of UL allocation intervals is contiguous.

At step 2004, an S-PDCCH region from a plurality of S-PDCCH regions in asubframe of a primary DL carrier is determined for transmittinginformation on the allocated resources. It can be noted that, each ofthe control regions is configured for carrying resource allocationinformation associated with one of the group of DL allocation intervalsand one of the group of UL allocation intervals. At step 2006, theresource allocation information is transmitted in the determined controlregion of the subframe in the primary DL carrier.

FIG. 21 illustrates a schematic representation 2100 for frame structures2102A-2102C associated with a primary DL carrier, a secondary DLcarrier, and a secondary UL carrier with multiple allocation intervalsper subframe, according to one embodiment. The frame structure 2102Aincludes a plurality of subframes 2104A-N of 1 millisecond duration.Each of the subframes 2104A-N of the primary DL carrier is divided intotwo slots 2105A and 2105B. The first slot 2105A of the subframes 2104A-Ncontains a PDDCH region 2106 and a data region 2109 whereas the secondslot 2105B includes the data region 2109. Multiple S-PDCCH regions2107A-N are defined in each subframe of the primary DL carrier. TheS-PDCCH region 2107A is located in the PDCCH region 2106 and the S-PDCCHregions 2107B-N are located in the data region 2109 in the first slot2105A and the second slot 2105B. The S-PDCCH regions 2107A-N may be ofsame or different sizes.

The frame structure 2102B includes a plurality of subframes 2108A-N of 1millisecond duration, each subframe 2108 of the secondary DL carrier isdivided into multiple DL allocation intervals 2112A-N. Similarly, theframe structure 2102C includes a plurality of subframes 2110A-N, eachsubframe 2110 of the secondary UL carrier is divided into multiple ULallocation intervals 2114A-N. It can be noted that, number of S-PDCCHregions 2107A-N is equal to number of allocation intervals in onesubframe duration (e.g., 1 ms). Each S-PDCCH region carries S-PDCCH forone DL allocation interval and one UL allocation interval. The mappingof S-PDCCH regions 2107A-N to DL allocation intervals 2112A-N and ULallocation interval 2114A-N are pre-defined by the BS 202.Alternatively, the mapping of S-PDCCH regions 2107A-N to DL allocationintervals 2112A-N and UL allocation interval 2114A-N is fixed.

In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 21 the subframes 2108A-N of thesecondary DL carrier are time aligned with the subframes 2104A-N of theprimary DL carrier whereas the subframes 2110A-N of the secondary ULcarrier are offset to the end of the first S-PDCCH region 2107B in thedata region 2109 in the subframes 2104A-N by a time duration requiredfor processing the resource allocation information and time durationrequired for preparing UL packet. In this embodiment, the DL allocationintervals 2112A-N and the UL allocation intervals 2114A-N are timealigned to boundary of the respective subframes 2108A-N and 2110A-N. Inthis case, there is a need to buffer data received on the DL allocationintervals 2112A-N. In another embodiment, the subframes 2110A-N of thesecondary DL carrier are offset to the end of the first S-PDCCH region2107B in the data region 2109 in the subframes 2104A-N by a timeduration required for processing the resource allocation information byat least an amount equal to time duration required for processing theresource allocation information. In yet another embodiment, DLallocation intervals 2112A-N of the secondary DL carrier and ULallocation intervals 2114A-N are offset from end of the first S-PDCCHregion 2107B in the data region 2109 of the subframes 2104A-N by anamount equal to a time duration required to process resource allocationinformation while subframes 2108A-N of the secondary DL carrier andsubframes 2110A-N of the secondary UL carrier are time aligned withsubframes 2104A-N of the primary DL carrier.

As illustrated in FIG. 21, the BS 202 transmits resource allocationinformation for the DL allocation interval 2112A and UL allocationinterval 2114A in the S-PDCCH region 2107A, DL allocation interval 2112Band UL allocation interval 2114B in the S-PDCCH region 2107B, DLallocation interval 2112C and UL allocation interval 2114C in theS-PDCCH region 2107C, and DL allocation interval 2112D and UL allocationinterval 2114D in the S-PDCCH region 2107D.

FIG. 22 illustrates a schematic representation 2200 of exemplary framestructures 2202A-2202C associated with a primary DL carrier, a secondaryDL carrier, and a secondary UL carrier with two allocation intervals persubframe, according to one embodiment. The frame structure 2202Aincludes a plurality of subframes 2204A-N of 1 millisecond duration.Each of the subframes 2204A-N of the primary DL carrier is divided intotwo slots 2205A and 2205B. The first slot 2205A of the each subframe2204 contains a PDDCH region 2206 and a data region 2209 whereas thesecond slot 2205B includes the data region 2209. The first S-PDCCHregion 2207A is located in the PDCCH region 2206 and the second S-PDCCHregion 2207B spans all symbols of the data region 2209 in the first slot2205A and the second slot 2205B. The second S-PDCCH region 2207B iscomposed of same sub carriers in frequency domain for all symbols in thedata region 2209.

The frame structure 2202B includes a plurality of subframes 2208A-N of 1millisecond duration, each subframe 2208 of the secondary DL carrier isdivided into two allocation intervals 2212A and 2212B. Similarly, theframe structure 2202C includes a plurality of subframes 2210A-N, eachsubframe 2210 of the secondary UL carrier is divided into two allocationintervals 2214A and 2214B. In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 22, thesubframes 2208A-N of the secondary DL carrier are time aligned with thesubframes 2204A-N of the primary DL carrier whereas the subframes2210A-N of the secondary UL carrier are offset to the end of thecorresponding subframes 2204A-N of the primary DL carrier by a timeduration required for processing the resource allocation information andtime duration required for preparing UL packet. In another embodiment,the subframes 2210A-N of the secondary DL carrier are offset withrespect to the corresponding subframes 2204A-N of the primary DL carriersuch that the second allocation interval 2212B is offset to the end ofthe corresponding subframes 2204A-N of the primary DL carrier by atleast an amount equal to time duration required for processing theresource allocation information.

According to the present disclosure, the base station 202 transmitsinformation on allocated resources for the first allocation interval2212A in the secondary DL carrier and the first allocation interval2214A in the secondary UL carrier in the first S-PDCCH region 2207A.Similarly, the base station 202 transmits information on the allocatedresources for the second allocation interval 2212B in the secondary DLcarrier and the second allocation interval 2214B in the secondary ULcarrier in the second S-PDCCH region 2207B.

FIG. 23 illustrates a schematic representation 2300 of exemplary framestructures 2302A-2302C associated with a primary DL carrier, a secondaryDL carrier, and a secondary UL carrier with two allocation intervals persubframe, according to another embodiment. It can be seen that, theschematic representation 2300 is similar to the schematic representation2200 of FIG. 22, except that the first S-PDCCH region 2307A is locatedin the PDCCH region 2306 in the first slot 2305A and the second S-PDCCHregion 2307B in the data region 2309 in the second slot 2305B of thesubframes 2304A-N in the primary DL carrier. That is, the second S-PDCCHregion 2307B spans all symbols of the second slot 2305B.

Also, the subframes 2308A-N of the secondary DL carrier are time alignedwith the subframes 2304A-N of the primary DL carrier whereas thesubframes 2310A-N of the secondary UL carrier are offset to the end ofthe first slot 2305A of the corresponding subframes 2304A-N of theprimary DL carrier by a time duration required for processing theresource allocation information and time duration required for preparingUL packet. Further, the subframes 2310A-N of the secondary DL carrierare offset with respect from the first slot 2305A of the correspondingsubframes 2304A-N of the primary DL carrier by at least an amount equalto time duration required for processing the resource allocationinformation.

FIG. 24 illustrates a schematic representation 2400 of exemplary framestructures 2402A-2402C associated with a primary DL carrier, a secondaryDL carrier, and a secondary UL carrier with two allocation intervals persubframe, according to yet another embodiment. It can be seen that, theschematic representation 2400 is similar to the schematic representation2300 of FIG. 23, except that the first S-PDCCH region 2407A is locatedin the data region 2409 in the first slot 2405A instead of the PDCCHregion 2406. That is, the first S-PDCCH region 2407A spans all symbolsof the data region 2409 in the first slot 2405A and the second S-PDCCHregion 2407B spans all symbols of the data region 2409 in the secondslot 2405B. The first S-PDCCH region 2407A is composed of same subcarriers in frequency domain for all symbols in the data region 2409 ofthe first slot 2405A, Similarly, the second S-PDCCH region 2407B iscomposed of the same sub carriers as the first S-PDCCH region 2407A infrequency domain for all symbols. Alternatively, the second S-PDCCHregion 2407B is composed of same sub carriers in frequency domain forall symbols in the data region 2409 in the second slot 2405B.

FIG. 25 illustrates a schematic representation 2500 of exemplary framestructures 2502A-2502C associated with a primary DL carrier, a secondaryDL carrier, and a secondary UL carrier with three allocation intervalsper subframe, according to one embodiment. The frame structure 2502Aincludes a plurality of subframes 2504A-N of 1 millisecond duration.Each of the subframes 2504A-N of the primary DL carrier is divided intotwo slots 2505A and 2505B. The first slot 2505A of the each subframe2504 contains PDDCH region 2506 and data region 2509 whereas the secondslot 2505B includes data region 2509. The first S-PDCCH region 2507A islocated in the PDCCH region 2506 and second S-PDCCH region 2507B islocated in the data region 2509 in the first slot 2505A. The thirdS-PDCCH region 2507C is located in the data region 2509 of the secondslot 2505B. The second S-PDCCH region 2507B spans all symbols in thedata region 2509 of the first slot 2505A. The second S-PDCCH region2507B is composed on same sub carriers in frequency domain for allsymbols in the data region 2509 of the first slot 2505A. The thirdS-PDCCH region 2507C spans all symbols of the second slot 2505B. Thethird S-PDCCH region 2507C is composed of same sub carriers in frequencydomain for all symbols. In one embodiment, subcarriers for the secondS-PDCCH region 2507B and the third S-PDCCH region 2507C are same. Inanother embodiment, subcarriers for the second S-PDCCH region 2507B andthe third S-PDCCH region 2507C are different.

The frame structure 2502B includes a plurality of subframes 2508A-N of 1millisecond duration, each subframe 2508 is divided into threeallocation intervals 2512A, 2512B and 2512C. Similarly, the framestructure 2502C includes a plurality of subframes 2510A-N, each subframe2210 is divided into three allocation intervals 2514A, 2514B and 2514C.

According to the present disclosure, the base station 202 transmitsinformation on allocated resources for the first allocation interval2512A in the secondary DL carrier and the first allocation interval2514A in the secondary UL carrier in the first S-PDCCH region 2507A.Similarly, the base station 202 transmits information on the allocatedresources for the second allocation interval 2512B in the secondary DLcarrier and the second allocation interval 2514B in the secondary ULcarrier in the second S-PDCCH region 2507B. Also, the base station 202transmits information on the allocated resources for the thirdallocation interval 2512C in the secondary DL carrier and the thirdallocation interval 2514C in the secondary UL carrier in the thirdS-PDCCH region 2507C.

FIG. 26 illustrates a schematic representation 2600 of frame structures2602A-2602C associated with a primary DL carrier, a secondary DLcarrier, and a secondary UL carrier with multiple allocation intervalsper subframe, according to another embodiment. It can be seen that, theschematic representation 2600 is similar to the schematic representation2100 of FIG. 21, except that multiple S-PDCCH regions 2607A-N arelocated in data portion of subframe in the primary DL carrier.

FIG. 27 illustrates a schematic representation 2700 of frame structures2702A-2702C associated with a primary DL carrier, a secondary DLcarrier, and a secondary UL carrier with multiple allocation intervalsper subframe, according to another embodiment. It can be seen that, theschematic representation 2700 is similar to the schematic representation2600 of FIG. 26, except that subframes 2708A-N of the secondary DLcarrier is offset from end of a first S-PDCCH region 2707A by an amountequal to a time duration required to process resource allocationinformation.

FIG. 28 illustrates a schematic representation 2800 of frame structures2802A-2802C associated with a primary DL carrier, a secondary DLcarrier, and a secondary UL carrier with multiple allocation intervalsper subframe, according to further another embodiment. It can be seenthat, the schematic representation 2800 is similar to the schematicrepresentation 2600 of FIG. 26, except that allocation intervals 2812A-Nof the secondary DL carrier and allocation intervals 2814A-N are offsetfrom end of a first S-PDCCH region 2807A by an amount equal to a timeduration required to process resource allocation information whilesubframes 2808A-N of the secondary DL carrier and subframes 2810A-N ofthe secondary UL carrier are time aligned with subframes 2804A-N of theprimary DL carrier.

FIG. 29 illustrates a schematic representation 2900 of an indicationlocation of an S-PDCCH region to the MS 204, according to oneembodiment. The BS 202 indicates S-PDCCH region into a PDCCH region viaPDCCH. The S-PDCCH region indicated by the BS 202 is logically dividedinto multiple S-PDCCH sub regions. The S-PDCCH region may be scatteredin frequency domain composing of different subcarriers. The scatteredregions are treated as a single whole region for division into multipleS-PDCCH sub regions.

FIGS. 30A-C illustrate schematic representations of indication oflocation of an S-PDCCH region to the MS 204, according to anotherembodiment. The BS 202 indicates location of multiple S-PDCCH regions inPDCCH region via a PDCCH. In one embodiment, the multiple S-PDCCHregions together span all portions of data region of subframe in theprimary DL carrier. In another embodiment, the multiple S-PDCCH regionsin total span multiple but not all symbols in the data region of thesubframe in the primary DL carrier. In yet another embodiment, eachS-PDCCH region spans a single symbol in the data portion of the subframein the primary DL carrier. Each S-PDCCH region is located in a differentsymbol. It can be noted that, mapping of S-PDCCH region to respectiveallocation intervals is pre-defined and is known to both the MS 204 andthe BS 202. It is understood that, embodiments of the present disclosureas illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 19 are also applicable to embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 20 to 28.

In accordance to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 30A,parameters required for alignment of sub frames of a secondary DLcarrier and secondary UL carrier includes time duration required totransmit resource allocation information, time duration required forprocessing the resource allocation information, time duration requiredto prepare UL packet, and time required for switching and synchronizingto secondary carrier.

When a subframe of the secondary DL carrier and/or the secondary ULcarrier is offset with respect to subframe of primary DL carrier, theabove parameters are defined to be constant for the asymmetricmulticarrier communication network. That is, the values of the saidparameters are same for all MSs in the asymmetric multicarriercommunication network. In such a scenario, a cumulative value of thesaid parameters can be defined separately for the secondary DL carrierand the secondary UL carrier. The cumulative value may be eitherpre-specified or may be broadcasted in broadcast channel information.

When subframes of the secondary DL carrier and the secondary UL carrierare aligned with subframes of the primary DL carrier but DL allocationinterval and UL allocation interval are offset to the corresponding subframe boundaries, the value of the said parameters can be specificallydefined each MS. In such a case, the values of the said parameters needto be indicated by each MS 204 to the BS 202. In an exemplaryimplementation, value of each of these parameters is separatelyindicated by the MS to the BS. In another exemplary implementation, anindicator of cumulative values of the said parameters can be indicatedby each MS 204 to the BS 202. In some embodiments, the MS 204 mayindicate the MS's category to the BS 202, where the category isindicative of the cumulative values of the said parameters. For example,a high end MS which has higher processing capability has lowercumulative value of the said parameters while a low end MS which haslower processing capability has higher cumulative value of the saidparameters. In such a case, the MS 204 indicates whether the MS is ahigh end or a low end MS. The MS 202 may indicate the category to the BS202 via a capability negotiation message. Accordingly, the BS appliesthe corresponding cumulative value of the said parameters.

FIG. 31 illustrates a schematic representation 3100 of frame structures3102A and 3102B in a Time Division Duplex (TDD) mode, according to oneembodiment. The frame structure 3102A includes a plurality of subframes3104A-N of 1 millisecond duration. Each of the subframes 3104A-N of theprimary DL carrier is divided into two slots 3105A and 3105B. The firstslot 3105A of the each subframe 3104 contains a PDDCH region 3106 and adata region 3109 whereas the second slot 3105B includes data region3109. The S-PDCCH region 3107A is located in the PDCCH region 3106 andthe S-PDCCH region 3107B is located in the data region 3109.Alternatively, the S-PDCCH regions 3107A-N are located in the dataregion 3109. It can be noted that, the number of S-PDCCH regions isequal to the number of allocation Intervals in a sub frame of asecondary carrier. The mapping of S-PDCCH regions to allocation intervalis pre-defined.

The frame structure 3102B includes a plurality of subframes 3108A-N of 1millisecond duration. Each subframe 3108 of the secondary carrier isdivided into five allocation intervals 3110A-E. The allocation intervals3110A-E includes three DL allocation intervals 3110A-C and two ULallocation intervals 3110D and 3110E.

As illustrated, the subframes 3108A-N of the secondary carrier are timealigned with the subframes 3104A-N of the primary carrier.Alternatively, the subframes 3108A-N of the secondary carrier are offsetby a pre-defined time duration with respect to the subframes 3104A-N ofthe primary carrier. The pre-defined time duration is equal to timeduration for receiving resource allocation information and/or timeduration for processing the resource allocation information.

FIG. 32 illustrates a schematic representation 3200 of frame structures3202A and 3202B in a Time Division Duplex (TDD) mode, according toanother embodiment. It can been seen that, the schematic representation3100 of FIG. 31 is same as the schematic representation 3200 except thatinformation of the S-PDCCH region 3207 in the data region 3209 isindicated in a PDCCH transmitted in the PDCCH region 3206. The S-PDCCHregion 3207 may be further divided into multiple S-PDCCH regions suchthat each S-PDCCH region corresponds to single allocation interval. Themobile station 204 may use a reserved Cell Radio Network TemporaryIdentifier (C-RNTI) for decoding the PDCCH carrying information of theS-PDCCH region 3207. When there are multiple S-PDCCH regions in the dataregion 3209, information on each S-PDCCH region is indicated by adifferent PDCCH. Alternatively, information of S-PDCCH region(s) in thedata region 3209 is communicated in a broadcast information (e.g.,primary broadcast channel (BCH)). Also, information of S-PDCCH region(s)in the data region 3209 may be communicated in a unicast manner in asignaling message during activation of the secondary carrier. It can benoted that, the BS 202 need not communicate the information on S-PDCCHregion(s) if a pre-specified region in the data region 3209 isdesignated as S-PDCCH region(s).

FIG. 33 illustrates a schematic representation 3300 of frame structures3302A and 3302B in a Time Division Duplex (TDD) mode, according to yetanother embodiment. It can be noted that the schematic representation3200 of FIG. 32 is similar to the schematic representation 3300, exceptlocation of PDCCH which carries information of S-PDCCH region(s).

FIG. 34 illustrates a block diagram of the base station 202 showingvarious components for implementing embodiments of the present subjectmatter. in FIG. 34, the base station 202 includes a processor 3402, amemory 3404, a read only memory (ROM) 3406, a transceiver 3408, and abus 3410.

The processor 3402, as used herein, means any type of computationalcircuit, such as, but not limited to, a microprocessor, amicrocontroller, a complex instruction set computing microprocessor, areduced instruction set computing microprocessor, a very longinstruction word microprocessor, an explicitly parallel instructioncomputing microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digital signalprocessor, or any other type of processing circuit. The processor 3402may also include embedded controllers, such as generic or programmablelogic devices or arrays, application specific integrated circuits,single-chip computers, smart cards, and the like.

The memory 3404 and the ROM 3406 may be volatile memory and non-volatilememory. The memory 3404 includes a resource allocation module 3412 forallocating resources for one or more transmit time intervals in at leastone of downlink allocation interval in a secondary downlink carrier anduplink allocation interval in a secondary uplink carrier, according toone or more embodiments described above. A variety of computer-readablestorage media may be stored in and accessed from the memory elements.Memory elements may include any suitable memory devices) for storingdata and machine-readable instructions, such as read only memory, randomaccess memory, erasable programmable read only memory, electricallyerasable programmable read only memory, hard drive, removable mediadrive for handling compact disks, digital video disks, diskettes,magnetic tape cartridges, memory cards, and the like.

Embodiments of the present subject matter may be implemented inconjunction with modules, including functions, procedures, datastructures, and application programs, for performing tasks, or definingabstract data types or low-level hardware contexts. The resourceallocation module 3412 may be stored in the form of machine-readableinstructions on any of the above-mentioned storage media and may beexecutable by the processor 3402. For example, a computer program mayinclude machine-readable instructions which when executed by theprocessor 3402, may cause the processor 3402 to allocate resources forone or more transmit time intervals in at least one of downlinkallocation interval in a secondary downlink carrier and uplinkallocation interval in a secondary uplink carrier, according to theteachings and herein described embodiments of the present subjectmatter. In one embodiment, the program may be included on a compactdisk-read only memory (CD-ROM) and loaded from the CD-ROM to a harddrive in the non-volatile memory.

The transceiver 3408 may be capable of transmitting resource allocationinformation in a subframe of a primary downlink carrier. The bus 3410acts as interconnect between various components of the base station 202.

FIG. 35 illustrates a block diagram of the mobile station 204 showingvarious components for implementing embodiments of the present subjectmatter. In FIG. 35, the mobile station 204 includes a processor 3502,memory 3504, a read only memory (ROM) 3506, a transceiver 3508, a bus3510, a display 3512, an input device 3514, and a cursor control 3516.

The processor 3502, as used herein, means any type of computationalcircuit, such as, but not limited to, a microprocessor, amicrocontroller, a complex instruction set computing microprocessor, areduced instruction set computing microprocessor, a very longinstruction word microprocessor, an explicitly parallel instructioncomputing microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digital signalprocessor, or any other type of processing circuit. The processor 3502may also include embedded controllers, such as generic or programmablelogic devices or arrays, application specific integrated circuits,single-chip computers, smart cards, and the like.

The memory 3504 and the ROM 3506 may be volatile memory and non-volatilememory. The memory 3504 includes a resource allocation decoding module3518 for decoding resource allocation information received from the basestation 202 in the subframe of the primary downlink carrier, accordingto one or more embodiments described in FIG. 4. A variety ofcomputer-readable storage media may be stored in and accessed from thememory elements. Memory elements may include any suitable memorydevice(s) for storing data and machine-readable instructions, such asread only memory, random access memory, erasable programmable read onlymemory, electrically erasable programmable read only memory, hard drive,removable media drive for handling compact disks, digital video disks,diskettes, magnetic tape cartridges, memory cards, and the like.

Embodiments of the present subject matter may be implemented inconjunction with modules, including functions, procedures, datastructures, and application programs, for performing tasks, or definingabstract data types or low-level hardware contexts. The resourceallocation decoding module 3518 may be stored in the form ofmachine-readable instructions on any of the above-mentioned storagemedia and may be executable by the processor 3502. For example, acomputer program may include machine-readable instructions, that whenexecuted by the processor 3502, cause the processor 3502 to decoderesource allocation information received from the base station 202 inthe subframe of the primary downlink carrier, according to the teachingsand herein described embodiments of the present subject matter. In oneembodiment, the computer program may be included on a compact disk-readonly memory (CD-ROM) and loaded from the CD-ROM to a hard drive in thenon-volatile memory.

The transceiver 3508 may be capable of receiving the resource allocationinformation in each subframe of the primary downlink carrier. The bus3510 acts as interconnect between various components of the mobilestation 204. The components such as the display 3512, the input device3514, and the cursor control 3516 are well known to the person skilledin the art and hence the explanation is thereof omitted.

The present embodiments have been described with reference to specificexample embodiments; it will be evident that various modifications andchanges may be made to these embodiments without departing from thebroader spirit and scope of the various embodiments. Furthermore, thevarious devices, modules, and the like described herein may be enabledand operated using hardware circuitry, for example, complementary metaloxide semiconductor based logic circuitry, firmware, software and/or anycombination of hardware, firmware, and/or software embodied in a machinereadable medium. For example, the various electrical structure andmethods may be embodied using transistors, logic gates, and electricalcircuits, such as application specific integrated circuit.

Although the present disclosure has been described with an exemplaryembodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to oneskilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompasssuch changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for receiving resource allocationinformation in a multicarrier communication system, the methodcomprising: receiving resource allocation information in a controlregion included in a subframe on a primary downlink carrier, wherein theresource allocation information includes information indicating a starttime for a downlink allocation interval for a secondary downlink carrierand information indicating a start time for an uplink allocationinterval for a secondary uplink carrier, identifying resources allocatedin the downlink allocation interval for the secondary downlink carrierand the uplink allocation interval for the secondary uplink carrierbased on the resource allocation information, wherein the downlinkallocation interval is included in a part of a first subframe and a partof a second subframe on the secondary downlink carrier and starts at afirst predefined offset after a start time of the subframe on theprimary downlink carrier, wherein the uplink allocation interval isincluded in a part of a third subframe and a part of a fourth subframeon the secondary uplink carrier and starts at a second predefined offsetafter the start time of the subframe on the primary downlink carrier,wherein a duration of the downlink allocation interval is equal to aduration of one subframe, and wherein a duration of the uplinkallocation interval is equal to the duration of one subframe; andwherein each of frequencies of the secondary downlink carrier and thesecondary uplink carrier is higher than a frequency of the primarydownlink carrier.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the downlinkallocation interval for the secondary downlink carrier starts at a sametime as the subframe on the primary downlink carrier in which theresource allocation information for the downlink allocation interval istransmitted.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the downlink allocationinterval for the secondary downlink carrier starts at the firstpredefined offset from and during a time duration of the subframe on theprimary downlink carrier in which the resource allocation informationfor the downlink allocation interval is transmitted.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the first predefined offset is equal to at least one ofa time duration of the control region in which the resource allocationinformation is transmitted, a time duration required for processing theresource allocation information, a time duration required to switch froma primary carrier to a secondary carrier, a time duration required toperform beam forming, or a time duration required to synchronize withthe secondary carrier.
 5. The method of claim I, wherein the uplinkallocation interval for the secondary uplink carrier starts at thesecond predefined offset during a time duration of the subframe on theprimary downlink carrier in which the resource allocation informationfor the uplink allocation interval is transmitted.
 6. The method ofclaim 5, wherein the second predefined offset is equal to at least oneof a time duration of the control region in which the resourceallocation information is transmitted, a time duration required forprocessing the resource allocation information, a time duration requiredto switch from a primary carrier to a secondary carrier, a time durationrequired to synchronize with the secondary carrier, a time durationrequired to prepare uplink packet based on the resource allocationinformation, a time duration required to perform beam forming, or a timeduration required for uplink timing advance.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein transmission time intervals (TTIs) for both the secondary uplinkcarrier and the secondary downlink carrier are smaller than TTIs for theprimary downlink carrier.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the subframeof the primary downlink carrier and a subframe of the secondary downlinkcarrier start at a same time, and wherein a subframe of the secondaryuplink carrier is offset by a predefined time duration with respect tothe subframe of the primary downlink carrier.
 9. The method of claim 8,wherein the predefined time duration is equal to at least one of a timeduration of the control region in which the resource allocationinformation is transmitted, a time duration required for processing theresource allocation information, a time duration required to switch froma primary carrier to a secondary carrier, a time duration required tosynchronize with the secondary carrier, a time duration required toperform beam forming, a time duration required to prepare uplink packetbased on the resource allocation information, or a time durationrequired for uplink timing advance.
 10. The method of claim 1, whereinthe subframe of the primary downlink carrier, a subframe of thesecondary downlink carrier, and a subframe of the secondary uplinkcarrier start at a same time.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein theuplink allocation interval for the secondary uplink carrier starts at asame time as a subframe on the secondary uplink carrier.
 12. Anapparatus for receiving resource allocation information in anmulticarrier communication system, the apparatus comprising: aprocessor; and a transceiver, wherein the transceiver is configured toreceive resource allocation information control region included in asubframe on a primary downlink carrier, wherein the resource allocationinformation includes information indicating a start time for a downlinkallocation interval for a secondary downlink carrier and informationindicating a start time for an uplink allocation interval for asecondary uplink carrier, wherein the processor is configured toidentify resources allocated in the downlink allocation interval for thesecondary downlink carrier and the uplink allocation interval for thesecondary uplink carrier based on the resource allocation information,wherein the downlink allocation interval is included in a part of afirst subframe and a part of a second subframe on the secondary downlinkcarrier and starts at a first predefined offset after a start time ofthe subframe on the primary downlink carrier, wherein the uplinkallocation interval is included in a part of a third subframe and a partof a fourth subframe on the secondary uplink carrier and starts at asecond predefined offset after the start time of the subframe on theprimary downlink carrier, wherein a duration of the downlink allocationinterval is equal to a duration of one subframe, and wherein a durationof the uplink allocation interval is equal to the duration of onesubframe, and wherein each of frequencies of the secondary downlinkcarrier and the secondary uplink carrier is higher than a frequency ofthe primary downlink carrier.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein thedownlink allocation interval for the secondary downlink carrier startsat a same time as the subframe on the primary downlink carrier in whichthe resource allocation information for the downlink allocation intervalis transmitted, and wherein transmission time intervals (TTIs) for boththe secondary uplink carrier and the secondary downlink carrier aresmaller than TTIs for the primary downlink carrier.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 12, wherein the downlink allocation interval for the secondarydownlink carrier starts at the first predefined offset from and during atime duration of the subframe on the primary downlink carrier in whichthe resource allocation information for the downlink allocation intervalis transmitted.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the firstpredefined offset is equal to at least one of a time duration of thecontrol region in which the resource allocation information istransmitted, a time duration required for processing the resourceallocation information, a time duration required to switch from aprimary carrier to a secondary carrier, a time duration required toperform beam forming, or a time duration required to synchronize withthe secondary carrier.
 16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the uplinkallocation interval for the secondary uplink carrier starts at thesecond predefined offset during a time duration of the subframe on theprimary downlink carrier in which the resource allocation informationfor the uplink allocation interval is transmitted.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein the second predefined offset is equal to at least oneof a time duration of the control region in which the resourceallocation information is transmitted, a time duration required forprocessing the resource allocation information, a time duration requiredto switch from a primary carrier to a secondary carrier, a time durationrequired to synchronize with the secondary carrier, a time durationrequired to prepare uplink packet based on the resource allocationinformation, a time duration required to perform beam forming, or a timeduration required for uplink timing advance.
 18. The apparatus of claim2, wherein the subframe of the primary downlink carrier and a subframeof the secondary downlink carrier start at a same time, and wherein asubframe of the secondary uplink carrier is offset by a predefined timeduration with respect to the subframe of the primary downlink carrier.19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the predefined time duration isequal to at least one of a time duration of the control region in whichthe resource allocation information is transmitted, a time durationrequired for processing the resource allocation information, a timeduration required to switch from a primary carrier to a secondarycarrier, a time duration required to synchronize with the secondarycarrier, a time duration required to perform beam forming, a timeduration required to prepare uplink packet based on the resourceallocation information, or a time duration required for uplink timingadvance.
 20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the subframe of theprimary downlink carrier, a subframe of the secondary downlink carrier,and a subframe of the secondary uplink carrier start at a same time, andwherein the uplink allocation interval for the secondary uplink carrierstarts at a same time as a subframe on the secondary uplink carrier.